Convertible Earrings for Pierced Ears

ABSTRACT

A convertible earring construction comprising a Euro-wire leverback configuration that incorporates a clutch element, is securable on a pierced earlobe, and when combined with a separate pierced earring that is a post style, and of conventional construction which can be received into the clutch element of the convertible earring, enables the post style earrings to be selectively attached and/or removed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/621,663, filed on Apr. 9, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to ornamental jewelry and more specifically, to earrings comprising a closeable loop Euro-wire leverback, and being able to selectively add or remove a separate post-style earring. The Euro-wire leverback is a preferred style of earring, which is secured to the ear with a closing latch or a spring-fit hook on the backside of the earring. Note: from this point on said earring will only be referred to as a leverback.

Heretofore, it has generally only been possible for pierced earrings of the type which include a post which is adapted to be received in an aperture in an earlobe of a wearer to be worn by persons having pierced ears. In this connection, although it has been possible to structurally modify pierced earrings of this type to enable them to be worn in a different style or fashion, or to be converted into non-pierced earrings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides an alternative and convertible earring construction comprised of a leverback style pierced earring, equipped with an attached clutch element, and when combined with a separate post-type pierced earring, provides the wearer with/of pierced ears, a way to achieve variation on the conventional usage of said post-type earrings, by converting them into a drop or dangle style, without structurally modifying or deforming the posts of said earrings.

Some of the advantages of the instant invention are that it gives variety to the wearer's investment in their basic jewelry wardrobe, can solve comfort and sensitivity problems with some earrings made out of certain materials, and eliminates the expense of purchasing multiple earrings with the same type of gemstones.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the convertible earring construction of the present invention; in a closed position

FIG. 2 is a side view of the earring construction on an earlobe, with an attached stud earring

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the convertible earring construction of the instant invention, with leverback clamp in the open position; along with an unattached stud earring

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the instant invention, along with an unattached stud earring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of the earring construction of the instant invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 and generally indicated at FIG. 1. The earring construction in FIG. 1 is comprised of a leverback element 12 containing a C-shaped main portion generally indicated at 18 having a forwardly facing first leg 20, a rearward facing second leg 22, and a lower or base portion 24 which interconnects the legs 20 and 22. The base portion 24 has an attached clutch element 14 which includes an aperture 34. Formed at the upper end of the forwardly facing first leg 20 is a substantially curved portion 26 which is engageable with an earlobe piercing, and attached to the upper end of the rearward facing second leg 22 by a resilient clamping arm 28. The clamping arm 28 is attached to the second leg 22 so that is resiliently pivotable rearward or outwardly with respect to the first leg 20. More specifically, the clamping arm 28 is pivotally attached to the rear leg 22 by a pivot pin 30, and a leaf spring 32 biases the clamping arm 28 forwardly toward the first leg 20 at the upper rearward facing portion 26. In this connection, the mechanism is completed when the clamping arm 28 moves forwardly toward the first leg 20, and hence the clamping element 28 is engaged with curved portion 26.

As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 2, the instant invention when received through the earlobe 13, effectively secures the leverback element 12 thereon in a conventional manner. The leverback element 12, which is securable through a pierced earlobe 13, of a wearer, includes a clutch element 14, which is attached either permanently secured to the leverback element 12 or freely attached, at the base or bottom end thereof, and a pierced earring element generally indicated at 17. The leverback element 12 is securable on the pierced earlobe 13, so that the clutch element 14 faces outwardly therefrom in a substantially horizontal disposition adjacent to the lower periphery of the earlobe 13 when the leverback element 12 is secured thereon. The clutch element 14 comprises a conventional clutch, earring back or earnut having an aperture 34 therein for receiving the post of a pierced earring 36. The clutch element 14 is secured to the base portion 24 of the leverback element 12 so that when the leverback element is received through the pierced earlobe 13, the clutch element 14 faces outwardly in a substantially horizontal disposition or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the earlobe 13 for receiving the post of a pierced earring element 17.

The embodiment of the convertible earring construction of the instant invention is generally indicated and illustrated in FIG. 3 and comprises a leverback device 12, a clutch element 14, and a pierced earring element 17. The pierced earring element 17 is of conventional construction, and it comprises a decorative portion and a post 36 which extends rearward therefrom and is dimensioned to be received in the aperture 34.

It is seen, most specifically in FIG. 4, that the leverback element 12 is mountable on a pierced earlobe such as in FIG. 2's earlobe 13, for securing the pierced earring element 16 thereto. Therefore, that the instant invention provides an effective earring construction which is convertible for alternatively securing it on a pierced earlobe in a conventional manner designed to provide an optional style, a drop or dangle, without permanently modifying the earring element portion of the earring 16 construction. Hence, the pierced earring element 16 can still be worn in its original intent and vice versa. The bodies of these elements can be made of any known or suitable jewelry materials, such as, for example, gold platinum or silver. Accordingly, it is seen that the convertible earring construction of the instant invention represents a significant improvement in the jewelry art which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications in designs, as well as metal and component forms used for jewelry making, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described 

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible earring construction comprising a Eurowire leverback which is adapted to be received through and secured on an earlobe of a pierced ear: a clutch element secured to the leverback components so that when the earring is received through said earlobe said clutch element is secured on said earlobe, and a first decorative portion featuring a post, is joined by said post and being displayed in outwardly facing relation to said earlobe when it is received in said clutch element.
 2. In the convertible earring construction of claim 1, said clutch element further is characterized as a conventional clutch for post earrings for pierced ears. 